I'm pretty sure the data shows that runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs is the only situation where a successful bunt increases the total expected runs scored. Which is a completely separate thing from the question of bunting to increase the chances of scoring one run.
I believe the other ones had sound reasoning too. I checked out a couple of Bello's and understood them.
Unfortunately part of that reasoning is a simple lack of trust in starters other than Crochet.
OK, fWAR may not be the ideal number, but none of these guys have been especially good. Dobbins has been the one pleasant surprise. There may be hope for Fitts if he can stay on the field.
You'd have to go through the game logs to see if there were instances of a guy truly cruising when Cora pulled him.
The third time through the order analytics stuff plays into it too of course.
4.2 is a popular time to pull guys now because of the combo of the 3rd time through the order thing and the "last out of the inning" exception to the 3 batter rule.
It's the LOOGY factor. The LOOGY still exists in spite of the 3 batter rule, because if you bring your lefty in with 2 outs and he gets the out, the 3 batter rule is nullified.
Cora has done the 4.2 inning LOOGY move a few times this year including in that Giolito start.
The big question is whether the good series Story just had means anything. Did he make a little tweak in his mechanics that paid off?
I'll wait for mvp's Captain Nemo report on the pitches Story hit.
Cora is loyal but if Story can't hit any more the decision of playing him or not could easily be taken out of Alex's hands.
Cora has a lot more say than any of us, that's for sure. 🙂
Crochet leads MLB in innings pitched. He pitched 146 innings last year, 13 in 2023 and 0 in 2022.
Keeping him healthy is arguably the team's most important job.
As for Crochet's pitch counts, this isn't going to make anyone feel any better, but I've read about them having schedules for the max number of pitches thrown over a stretch of 3 starts, not just max counts for one game.
We all have different things that bother us, I think. I did mucho complaining last year about the Sale trade so I was right there with you on that one.
I'm intrigued that the bullpen has the fourth most innings while the starters are in the top third.
I assume some of this is from having played the most games, plus some small differences being involved.
It's a little different with Anthony because it means Duran, Rafaela or Abreu are replaced or their roles are reduced. There was room for KC on Opening Day and the Bregman injury made room for Mayer.
I've heaped plenty of abuse on our front office but I think they have their reasons here. And I think we'll be seeing Anthony very soon.
Hopefully the fans have some patience with him. They're already losing some patience with Campbell and Mayer is next.